Western and Southern New York

Last Update: 17/NOVEMBER/2007

Compiled by Pete Payette - Š2007 American Forts Network

Fort of the Eries
(16th century), Buffalo
An Erie Indian circular palisade and earthwork on the south side of Buffalo Creek. The Senecas defeated the Eries here in 1653.

Fort Suppose
(unknown dates), Buffalo
A French fort that was probably never built.

¤ Buffalo Defenses

¤ Fort Tompkins (3)
(1812 - 1814), Buffalo
A large seven-gun earthwork, also known as Fort Adams, marker located on Niagara Street. Other batteries located around the city include Terrace Battery earthwork, Gookin's Battery (one gun), and Old Sow Battery earthwork with one mortar, all south of Fort Tompkins. North of the fort were Gibson's Battery (three guns), Dudley's Battery, Swift's Battery, Sailor's Battery (three guns). Attacked by the British in December 1813. The fort was abandoned after the war. No remains of any others.

¤ Black Rock Blockhouse
(1807 - 1813), Buffalo
A blockhouse located at the mouth of Black Rock Creek, which later protected the Navy Yard and depot built here in 1812. Possibly also known as Fort Black Rock. Located nearby in 1813 was Major Morgan's Battery. The Navy Yard was transferred to Erie, PA in 1813, but the naval depot remained until 1815. In December 1813 the British attacked and destroyed the blockhouse and carried off the guns from Fort Tompkins.

¤ Flint Hill Camp
(1812), Buffalo
An encampment and hospital. The site is now Mount St. Joseph's Academy. A marker is on Main Street.

¤ Fort Porter
(1841 - 1921, intermittent), Buffalo
A two-story masonry redoubt, it was the largest "blockhouse" ever built in the United States. It defended the entrance to the Erie Canal. It was built near the site of Fort Tompkins. It was not regularly garrisoned between 1844 and 1861. Ten barracks were built in 1861. The blockhouse burned in 1863. This was a recruiting station in 1898 and was the headquarters post of the 13th U.S. Infantry Regiment. Part of the fort became a city park around 1892. The remainder of the post became a military general hospital until it was abandoned in 1921. The post was destroyed after 1926 to make room for the Peace Bridge.

¤ Buffalo Barracks
(1835 - 1846), Buffalo
Also known as Poinsett Barracks, it was built to house troops in the area due to tensions with Canada over the Patriot's War. Abandoned after Fort Porter was built, as it was no longer needed. Site bounded by Main, Allen, Delaware, and North Streets. One Officers' quarters still exists on Delaware Street, part of the Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site (admission fee).

Camp Joseph W. Plume
(1898), Buffalo
A Spanish-American War muster camp. Location undetermined, possibly near the 65th Regiment NY NG Armory.

Camp F. L. Guenther
(1901), Buffalo
An Army post at the Pan-American Exposition Grounds. The present Buffalo and Erie County Historical Society is in the only remaining building, at 25 Nottingham Court.

Cheektowaga Barracks
(1812 - 1813), Cheektowaga
A state militia log barracks, later used as a hospital. A marker is at Transit Road and Aero Drive.

Tonawanda Blockhouse
(1812 - 1813), Tonawanda
A small American militia blockhouse on the south shore of Tonawanda Creek. It was burned by the British in December 1813.

Frenchman's Landing Blockhouse
(1745 - 1750), Niagara Falls
A small blockhouse and storehouse located a few hundred yards north of where Fort Little Niagara was later built, which replaced it.

Fort Schlosser
(1760 - 1813/1857 ?), Niagara Falls
First located near here was the French Fort Little Niagara, also known as Fort du Portage (1750 - 1759), built by Daniel Joncaire, son of Louis. It was a log stockade around barracks, storehouses, stables, and a blockhouse. It was destroyed to prevent capture by the British. The surviving barrack's chimney from the French fort was incorporated into the British fort's mess hall. The British rebuilt the fort slightly upstream as a square earthwork with four bastions. The Americans took control by treaty in 1796 and used it mainly as a supply depot. The British burned the fort in December 1813. Possibly still maintained as a supply depot until 1857. The old chimney was still extant as late as 1980. A marker is on site.

Fort Gray
(1812 - 1813), Lewiston
Located just north of the Lewiston-Queenston Bridge. It was attacked and destroyed by the British in December 1813. No remains, no marker.

Previously at this location was a French blockhouse (1751) and a British blockhouse (1764) to protect the military road between Grand Island and Lake Ontario (Niagara Portage). A total of 11 blockhouses were built by the British along the entire route of the Niagara Portage after the Devil's Hole Massacre (September 1763) occurred near here at the hands of the Senecas.

Fort Joncaire
(1719 - 1750), Lewiston
Originally a stockaded cabin and trading post built by French trader Louis Thomas de Joncaire, sieur de Chabert (aka Chabert de Joncaire). In 1721 a stone blockhouse called Magazin Royal, or Joncaire's Blockhouse, was built here. It was abandoned when Fort Little Niagara was built in 1750.

This location may have been the site of a 1678 French palisaded camp, sometimes referred to as Fort Hennepin by later historians, that was then replaced by Fort Conti in 1679. A British blockhouse may have been located at this site in 1761.

Kienuka
(1500 - 1640), Lewiston
A palisaded "fortress of refuge" for Squawkihaws and Senecas, located along the Niagara Escarpment.

Salt Battery
(1812), Youngstown
A temporary militia battery constructed with 400 barrels of salt, located at the town's docks.

Fort Niagara (State Historic Site)
(1726 - 1903/1963), Youngstown
Fort La Salle, a temporary French fort, was first established here in 1669. Attacked and destroyed by Senecas in 1675. Fort Conti was then built in 1679 but burned down sometime before 1682. It was composed of two 40-foot square log blockhouses enclosed by a palisade. Next came Fort DeNonville, or Fort at Niagara, in 1687, a four-bastioned palisade, but was abandoned in 1688 after supplies ran out. Fort Niagara was next - beginning with the "French Castle" or "House of Peace" in 1726. This structure was unique in that it resembled a French baronial mansion in order to hide its military purpose. Its granite walls were four feet thick, and massive arches were incorporated inside to support the rows of cannon secretly emplaced on the second floor attic. Extensive fortifications and moats were constructed in 1756. The fort was taken by the British in 1759, and was a major base of operations during the American Revolution. Five additional redoubts and stockades were constructed along the Niagara portage road in 1760. The North and South Redoubts were built in 1766. The Americans took control by treaty in 1796. During the War of 1812, Fort Niagara and Fort George, Ontario duked it out in an unusual battle between two forts. It was captured by the British in December 1813. In May 1815 it was ceded back to the U.S.
In 1839 modifications were made to the old fort, including a new stone wall and postern gate, and new masonry casemates in the north and south walls. In 1841 new construction was started outside the old fort, consisting of barracks, Officers' quarters, and later a Life Saving Station. More buildings were added in the area after 1903, when the fort became an infantry training post. In WWII became a draftee reception center, and a German POW camp. The old fort was turned over as a state park in 1946. An AAA gun battery was located here 1950 - 1953. The remainder of the post became a NIKE missile base 1954 - 1962 (NF-HQ). In 1994 the original 19-by-30 foot American garrison flag (1813) was returned from Scotland. Admission fee. Another website

Camp Church
(1862), Lockport
A Civil War training camp.

Fort Bender
(1814), Rochester
A War of 1812 militia fort guarding the town from possible British invasion when the British fleet arrived at the mouth of the Genesee River. Located at Deep Hollow on Lake Ave. near Ravine Ave..

Camp Otis
(1898), Rochester
A Spanish-American War muster post.

Fort des Sables
(1717), Sea Breeze
A stockaded French trading post. Site has been destroyed by highway construction (NY 590).

British Fort Schuyler (2) was built here in 1721. A 1940 reproduction of Fort des Sables and/or Fort Schuyler is located in Ellison Park.

The French Irondequoit Fort (1687) was previously located near here as a base for attacking Genesee Castle.

Ganondagan (State Historic Site)
(late 1600's), Victor
A 17th-century Seneca Indian palisaded village, or "castle". Also known as Genesee Castle. It was attacked by the French in 1687. Attacked by Patriot forces in 1779.

Fort Cummings (1)
(1779), Honeoye
The Patriot temporary base of operations against the Senecas. It was a fortified supply post incorporating an old Seneca Indian blockhouse that had been used by Tory Rangers. The site was excavated in the 1930's, and a marker is in town. The town was not settled by whites until 1789, originally named Pittstown until 1808.

Fort Kanadesaga
(1756 - 1779), Geneva
A 150-square foot palisade with two blockhouses built for the Senecas by the British. Also spelled Canadasaga. It was destroyed by Patriots in September 1779 during the Sullivan Expedition. Excavated in 1975.

Fort Alleghan
(prehistoric), Auburn
Located at Fort Hill, built by ancient mound builders.

Cornell Army Ground School
(1917 - 1919), Ithaca
An Army Ground School on the Cornell University campus.

John Speed's Blockhouse
(1806), Speedsville
A settlers' blockhouse.

Fort Reid
(1779), Elmira
A temporary Patriot fort during the Sullivan Expedition, located at the Chemung (Tioga) River and Newtown Creek. Also spelled Reed. The Newtown Battlefield State Park in East Elmira commemorates the August 1779 battle. The fort was destroyed after the battle.

Elmira Civil War Camps
(1860's), Elmira
Arnot Barracks was located just north of town. Ten barracks, a guardhouse, Officers' quarters, and a mess hall composed the camp. A monument was built in 1984.
Robinson Barracks (aka Camp Robinson) was located less than two miles southwest of town. Twenty barracks, two messhalls, two guardhouses, and an Officers' quarters composed the 400-by-360 yard camp.
Camp Rathburn was located on the western side of town. Twenty barracks, two messhalls, two guardhouses, and an Officers' quarters composed the 500-by 300 yard camp.
Post Barracks was located west of town. Twenty barracks, one messhall, two guardhouses, and an Officers' quarters composed the 400-by 200 yard camp.

Fort Oghwaga
(1757 - 1778), Ouaquaga
A British fort at the western terminus of the portage from the Delaware River to the Susquehanna River. Also spelled Oquaga. This was Joseph Brant's main base of operations against the Patriots and settlers during the American Revolution. Destroyed by Patriot forces in October 1778.

Unadilla Castle ?
(1272 ? - 1740's ?), South Unadilla
An Iroquois/Oneida Indian palisaded and ditched village on the south-side of the Susquehanna River east of Sidney. Reported in 1722 to have been in existence for 450 years. Probably still existed until the French and Indian War period.

Cochecton Post
(Fort Delaware Museum of Colonial History)
(1755 - 1760), Cochecton
A NJ colonial militia fort, also known as Upper Fort Delaware. The present structure is a reproduction containing three cabins, four blockhouses, and a colonial garden. Admission fee.

Lower Fort Delaware (1755 - 1760), the primary post, was actually across the river in Milanville, PA. (see PENNSYLVANIA page 2)

¤ Minisink Forts
(NOTE: This area was claimed by New Jersey until 1769. Port Jervis was once known as Minisink.)

¤ Fort Decker
(1779), Port Jervis
A fortified stone farmhouse built by Isaac Decker in 1760, considered to be the strongest defense in the village. Stockaded by Maj. Martinus Decker in 1779. The current structure was built in 1793. All buildings save this one were burned by the British in July 1779. The Minisink Valley Historical Society owns the house, at West Main Street and Park Ave..
¤ Daniel Van Auken's Fort
(1779), Port Jervis
A settlers' blockhouse located two miles east of town on Neversink Drive. It withstood the British raid in July 1779.
¤ Wilhelmus Cole's Fort ?
(1755, 1779 ?), Port Jervis
A fortified settlers' home with two blockhouses inside a palisade, located at New Jersey Ave. and East Main Street (site now elementary school). Used by the NJ colonial militia. May have been used in the American Revolution by Patriot forces.
¤ Fort Neversink
(1756), Port Jervis
Located at the Delaware and Neversink Rivers at East Main Street and New Jersey Ave.. Also known as Fort Minisink, or Fort New Jersey. (same as Cole's Fort ?)
¤ Fort Augusta
(1755), near Port Jervis
A British fort on the Delaware River.
¤ Fort Jersey
(1776 - 1780's), near Port Jervis
A blockhouse two miles from town at Mohochamack Fork on the Delaware River. Torn down about 1790.

¤ Fort DeWitt
(1757), Deerpark Township
A local militia blockhouse located on Denansink Creek, built by Capt. James Clinton on the land of Jacob DeWitt. It may have survived until 1787.

¤ Fort DePuy
(1757), Deerpark Township ?
A local militia blockhouse built by Capt. Clinton on the land of Benjamin DePuy. Undetermined location.

¤ Gumaer's Fort
(1755 - 1765, 1778 - 1779), near Huguenot
A stockaded and fortified stone house that was also in use during the American Revolution to protect the settlers during Tory raids. The town was attacked in October 1778. Located on Pioneer Hill.

¤ John Van Tuyle's Fort
(1771 - unknown), Greenville Township
A settlers' stone fort. The structure was roofed over in 1791 for use as a house. Exact location undetermined.
(NOTE: there is a Fort Van Tyle Road nearby.)

¤ Fort Gardiner
(1756 - unknown), Gardnerville
A NJ colonial militia 100-square foot palisaded fort with two guns, enclosing the main house and five other structures, located 12 miles from Cole's Fort. Built by Capt. Richard Gardiner. The name of the town was altered later.

¤ George Kimber's Fort
(1759), Unionville
A settlers' fort.

Isaac Dolson's Blockhouse
(1735, 1757), Middletown
A fortified log home. Rebuilt as a stone house in the 1750's. A blockhouse was also built here in 1757 under orders of Capt. James Clinton.

Fort Devens
(1757), Wurtsboro
One of Capt. Clinton's chain of blockhouses, located one and one-half miles north of town.

NEED MORE INFO: Fort Hill in Goshen Hills, Goshen Township.
Towns:

Special thanks to Col. Michael Stenzel, NY NG, for additional information from the New York's Forts website.

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